Ex-Pirate Todd Frazier signs with Frontier League team

Tribune-Review | Wednesday, June 9, 2021 5:49 p.m.

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Todd Frazier (99) celebrates with Erik Gonzalez after hitting a solo home run in spring training.

In between stints with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the U.S. Olympic team, 35-year-old third baseman Todd Frazier is playing some independent baseball.

Frazier has signed with the Sussex County Miners, the New Jersey-based team in the Frontier League announced Wednesday. He expected to make his debut with the team Friday.

Frazier played 13 games for the Pirates earlier this season, going 3 for 40 with six strikeouts before being designated for assignment May 10.

Frazier is part of U.S. baseball roster that went undefeated in qualifying earlier this month to clinch a spot in the Olympics. With players on major league rosters off limits, the team is made up of unsigned veterans and prospects, including four former MLB All-Stars — Frazier, outfielder Matt Kemp and pitchers Edwin Jackson and David Robertson.

The Olympic baseball tournament is scheduled to start July 28 in Japan.